Page 179 of Knockin' Boats
So I did.
EPILOGUE
Fourteen MonthsLater
Sawyer
“I’m starving,” Brooks said as he took a seat at my picnic table. “Tell me that Ash is making those burgers stuffed with pepper jack cheese again. Those were life-changing.”
Wind ruffled Skylar’s hair. “I thought the curry chicken wings were life-changing.”
“Those too,” Brooks said, patting his stomach. “Between Ash and Vera, I have to exercise twice as much to keep this body up to Skylar standards.”
Skylar smacked his stomach. “Don’t be silly. I didn’t fall for your body.”
“No?”
“It was just a nice perk,” he said with a grin.
“Well, I’m just waiting for winter, so we can get those blackberry-glazed ribs again,” Fisher said.
He and Hudson had arrived just ahead of Brooks and Skylar, and Poppy showed up right after them.
Ash’s mom was already here too, but she was inside prepping some potato salad while Ash supervised.
My mom couldn’t make it. Someone had to run the kitchen at the resort, even as we headed into the off season.
But Shua and their mom—and her newest boyfriend, who seemed like a decent guy this time—came over too.
Shua carried Raphael, the turtle. They’d managed to turn the dang thing into a pet after all. It hung around our campers munching lettuce, and Shua had even persuaded their mom to house Raph during the winter months.
“WhatisAsh making?” Poppy asked.
“Maybe I’m grilling tonight,” I said. “Did any of you think of that?”
My friends all exchanged dismayed looks.
“Oh, shoot, I think I forgot I have other plans,” Brooks said.
“Oh, right! That thing!” Fisher exclaimed, half standing. “I totally forgot.”
I flipped them all the bird. “Fuck you all. Ishouldgrill tonight just to serve you right.”
Ash came out of the trailer just then, and there was a group exhalation of relief.
“Ash,pleasedon’t let him feed us,” Shua joked.
The wiseass was really growing into their sarcastic years.
I jabbed a finger their way. “Do you want me to cancel your next surf lesson?”
Shua raised their hands. “Just kidding! Iloveyour food. It’s the best.”
“Lies,” I grumbled.
“Aw, it’s okay, babe.” Ash wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my temple. “We all have our strengths. Yours just happens to be out in the water.”
He waggled his eyebrows playfully, alluding to the day we’d spent out on the boat. We’d gone skinny dipping in a secluded spot, kissed for hours, and finally fucked on the deck.
